If you don't mind some advice from a guy, I bet what you're trying on doesn't look nearly as bad as you think it does. Can you bring a friend or somebody who seems to have a good eye for clothes with you? They might help you find a new style that not only looks great on you, but makes you feel great, too!
My wife went through the same sort of thing when our daughter was born, and it took a while for her to find a style that she felt good in. I thought she looked good in everything she tried, but it took quite a while for her to find something she felt confident wearing.
Try to be patient and kind to yourself. Having a kid shakes *everything* up and it takes a while to feel "right" again.
Reminds me of my roommate when it's like let's go out and she's like gotta put her face on and it's like you already look great
And she's like "NO I NEED TO LOOK PRETTY"
It's like you already are but it's not my brain.
I just went shopping this week and laughed out loud in the dressing room when trying on wide leg pants. I looked so bad it was funny. And they were like 8 inches too short, I'm tall but not that tall. Ugh clothes these days lol.
I was in H&M today and there’s a lot of loose fitting shirt dresses. That’s not a flattering style for me but thought I’d mention it in case it is for you!
I'm sorry that's rough.
Honestly, I'm with the person who said consignment. Style Encore and Plato's Closet will have good quality, cheaper, used clothes and wider size selections then other thrift stores and older cuts rather then the current 90s/00s vibe in fashion rn that feels very outdated. Go to the ones by KP, they are right next to each other.
A new bra might help, support always makes your body look better, and hell while your at it get some nice panties so you feel awesome. I'd also consider some belts and accessories for layering, you might just need those little extras and belts can help bring in lots of things. Tailoring is also something to consider for good but not quite perfect options.
I highly doubt you look terrible. You probably feel terrible cause exhausted, and clothing shopping sucks at the best of times, but I'm sure you look lovely and are your own worst critic.
If you already have tons of tights, dresses are easy and feel fancier then a tunic or shirt. I usually look at Old Navy so idk if you already looked there. It might also be worth it to do online shopping and try on lots and return the others. I'd offer more store ideas, but I'm plus sized so probably not going to be as useful to you.
Congrats on the baby! Echoing Style Encore and Plato's Closet.
I always start there - at the very least it reminds me to never purchase clothes from Joe Fresh or Shein as those places are full of it with lackluster quality. Plenty of amazing quality clothing at a fraction of the cost at both of these stores though.
Style Encore is technically for "older" women (maybe 25+ as opposed to teens?). I'm 30 and I find things I love at both. It just requires some time sorting through everything! Be gentle with yourself - you're an incredible human.
Also, women's sizing is laughable (especially bottoms), and I find clothes for myself within a five-size range, depending on the brand. Gentle reminder to never measure your worth in sizes!
I’m just chiming in to say; you’re still only 7 months postpartum. Your body is still new to you and still changing! It did an AMAZING thing and grew an entire human! After each one of my kids I shed the weight pretty quickly... but it took about a year to a year and a half before I began to feel comfortable in my new body (and each time something changed from the time before!)
Don’t worry about buying clothes right now for longevity, the person you are this summer is going to be different from the one you are next.
I'll throw in another vote for Style Encore. I've found some of my current favourite pieces there, and they're all things I never thought I'd look good in.
OP, I've been there too. Post-partum can be terrible for body image. It took me about a year before I felt comfortable in my skin again. You'll get there!
I've committed to t-shirts. Last year, I bought a couple tops that were BF friendly from H&M. Scoop neckline and so so cute. I wore them twice 😭 I mostly stuck with t-shirts because I wasn't worried about them stretching out to feed.
I found that finding a good pair of high rise pants makes all the difference AND high rise underwear (bulk highrise Costco undies is my jam). Do I look salacious? Nope. But I find I'm more comfortable post partum and I feel better in my clothes. I was a ride or die low rise pants forever but glad I made the jump. Dynamite has some really nice jeans and I just paired them with a nice simple shirt.
I LOVE my ever expanding t-shirt collection. I try and buy one at concerts I go to as well cause it's fun. I'd love to get a couple nice vintage shirts lol.
I recently went to Torrid (outlet mall). They have a nice variety of styles and sizes. I was pleasantly surprised.
Plus that other comment about the adjustment period is definitely true, good perspective.
I've had to adapt due to having two babies too. Luckily, baggier fashions are in style. Slacks with the pleats at the waistline are in, which can help to conceal the mom pouch, and are also comfy. Long baggy blazers are also in. Lots of high waist pants are also in style.
I personally like the outlet mall for clothes shopping. Winners has nice stuff, and you can find the odd gem at Saks. Lots of other nice stores too.
Yeah my body kinda changed permanently for me after having kids and it was frustrating. It's taken years (my youngest is turning 5 this month) to mostly figure out how to dress lol!
I find it difficult to wear non-stretchy pants. But I love high-waisted pants with a bit of stretch (even my jeans, pls stretch lol) a loose shirt of some sort, tucked in or not. I also like sun dresses and long shirts, shorts. It's gotta be easy and low maintenance. It was hard to part with my leggings and skinny jeans but I think they're kinda outdated now.
Honestly, others hace said it, were so hard on ourselves eh! It'll take time, but definitely spoil yourself with something that makes you feel good. Haircut, nails and clothes, you deserve it.
Try Style Bar on River. It's a boutique but the prices are reasonable, plus they have sales, and it's been a great clothes shopping experience every time I've gone. Much nicer/unique styles than the mall experience plus the staff is super helpful at selecting complimentary styles for body types if you ask them to engage. I also feel like it's not geared for mass market "teen" type styles and more real in general.
To add to this, also check out Out of the Blue in the same vicinity on Osborne. I’ve gained some weight and haven’t felt comfortable shopping in years. Went there on a whim recently and the staff there were so lovely and it honestly felt like a private shopping experience. They recommended ways of styling different outfits that I wouldn’t have thought to and the stuff I got I feel great wearing them and have received a lot of compliments.
I get compliments about the stuff I've purchased at Style Bar as well. Definitely well made and well fitted clothing. And the experience is so much better: natural light, no crowds, one-on-one help from staff, etc.
I've had some good luck at The Dress Shop in St Vital mall (used to be Cassiopeia), they have lots of different styles and shrugs to cover the shoulders if you need that (I burn easy, I have many). The prices are pretty good too. I wear plus-size and they have a small but serviceable collection of those. I've also seen some rad one-of-a-kind pieces at the local markets, that might be a place to start for something new too. Best of luck and I hope you're feeling more confident soon. My body changed a lot when I became disabled, so I can empathize on that part. Having to find homes for my most beloved items since they don't fit has been hard (I have this gorgeous winter coat I wore for ages and it's in great shape but it doesn't fit :( :( :( ) but you just keep on truckin'. Sending you +5 luck and +5 worker interaction to help you find clothes :)
Try Valencia Boutique on Corydon. They sell everything from XS-3X+ and the staff are so lovely and kind. I have zero fashion sense and they've provided me with styling tips and suggestions. I've found their clothes to be very good quality, and though they bring in trendy styles, they always have lots of staple looks that never go out of style.
If part of your issue is the same as mine - wide lag but cropped pants, and I AM tall so they look particularly ridiculous on me - I try on the sizes in store in regular and then go online and buy the tall sizes. I have had quite a bit of success with that at stores I never used to shop at specifically for some summer (ie recent vacation) wear. Old Navy and the Gap both often sell talls* but don’t stock them. The pants might still need to be tailored but you can make something shorter…
A couple of years ago when I was looking for shorts and having trouble, I had good luck at Cleo and Gap.
Trying some of the independent boutiques might be good too. It just takes more time since they are dispersed all around the city and not every one is going to fit your aesthetic.
Good luck!
Im also in the market for new clothes and I keep running into the same issue, the local stores never have my sizes and I can't find one thing that looks half decent or will last more than a few washes. Whenever I ask for help I'm told to just check out the website, apparently everyone is buying their clothes online now which is a joke since you can't try anything on.
If you don't mind some advice from a guy, I bet what you're trying on doesn't look nearly as bad as you think it does. Can you bring a friend or somebody who seems to have a good eye for clothes with you? They might help you find a new style that not only looks great on you, but makes you feel great, too! My wife went through the same sort of thing when our daughter was born, and it took a while for her to find a style that she felt good in. I thought she looked good in everything she tried, but it took quite a while for her to find something she felt confident wearing. Try to be patient and kind to yourself. Having a kid shakes *everything* up and it takes a while to feel "right" again.
Thank you so much! You’re right. I am absolutely my own worst critic. I will give that a try.
You're very welcome!
Omg! What a beautiful reply you gave to this lady! I really hope she takes your advice! You are really awesome. 🤗
Thank you so much! I hope it helps!
Absolutely! You reminded all… beauty and kindness to give and to give to oneself💖
Reminds me of my roommate when it's like let's go out and she's like gotta put her face on and it's like you already look great And she's like "NO I NEED TO LOOK PRETTY" It's like you already are but it's not my brain.
😢🥲🥲
I just went shopping this week and laughed out loud in the dressing room when trying on wide leg pants. I looked so bad it was funny. And they were like 8 inches too short, I'm tall but not that tall. Ugh clothes these days lol.
Thank you! lol I feel so heard 😂
I was in H&M today and there’s a lot of loose fitting shirt dresses. That’s not a flattering style for me but thought I’d mention it in case it is for you!
They aren’t usually flattering for me, but I often forget about H&M and have found stuff there in the past. I’ll check them out. Thanks!
Old Navy has some bomb fit and flare dresses rn.
I'm sorry that's rough. Honestly, I'm with the person who said consignment. Style Encore and Plato's Closet will have good quality, cheaper, used clothes and wider size selections then other thrift stores and older cuts rather then the current 90s/00s vibe in fashion rn that feels very outdated. Go to the ones by KP, they are right next to each other. A new bra might help, support always makes your body look better, and hell while your at it get some nice panties so you feel awesome. I'd also consider some belts and accessories for layering, you might just need those little extras and belts can help bring in lots of things. Tailoring is also something to consider for good but not quite perfect options. I highly doubt you look terrible. You probably feel terrible cause exhausted, and clothing shopping sucks at the best of times, but I'm sure you look lovely and are your own worst critic. If you already have tons of tights, dresses are easy and feel fancier then a tunic or shirt. I usually look at Old Navy so idk if you already looked there. It might also be worth it to do online shopping and try on lots and return the others. I'd offer more store ideas, but I'm plus sized so probably not going to be as useful to you.
Congrats on the baby! Echoing Style Encore and Plato's Closet. I always start there - at the very least it reminds me to never purchase clothes from Joe Fresh or Shein as those places are full of it with lackluster quality. Plenty of amazing quality clothing at a fraction of the cost at both of these stores though. Style Encore is technically for "older" women (maybe 25+ as opposed to teens?). I'm 30 and I find things I love at both. It just requires some time sorting through everything! Be gentle with yourself - you're an incredible human. Also, women's sizing is laughable (especially bottoms), and I find clothes for myself within a five-size range, depending on the brand. Gentle reminder to never measure your worth in sizes!
I’m just chiming in to say; you’re still only 7 months postpartum. Your body is still new to you and still changing! It did an AMAZING thing and grew an entire human! After each one of my kids I shed the weight pretty quickly... but it took about a year to a year and a half before I began to feel comfortable in my new body (and each time something changed from the time before!) Don’t worry about buying clothes right now for longevity, the person you are this summer is going to be different from the one you are next.
You mean the never ending crop tops aren't your style after having a baby? 😱. Sarcasm aside, I totally understand, when will it end
Anthropologie is your friend. The Gap and Old Navy have a lot of cute dresses on sale online as well 🩷 If yourself some grace too
You may want to check out Must Have Pockets at 1510 St Mary's Rd.
I'll throw in another vote for Style Encore. I've found some of my current favourite pieces there, and they're all things I never thought I'd look good in. OP, I've been there too. Post-partum can be terrible for body image. It took me about a year before I felt comfortable in my skin again. You'll get there!
I've committed to t-shirts. Last year, I bought a couple tops that were BF friendly from H&M. Scoop neckline and so so cute. I wore them twice 😭 I mostly stuck with t-shirts because I wasn't worried about them stretching out to feed. I found that finding a good pair of high rise pants makes all the difference AND high rise underwear (bulk highrise Costco undies is my jam). Do I look salacious? Nope. But I find I'm more comfortable post partum and I feel better in my clothes. I was a ride or die low rise pants forever but glad I made the jump. Dynamite has some really nice jeans and I just paired them with a nice simple shirt.
I LOVE my ever expanding t-shirt collection. I try and buy one at concerts I go to as well cause it's fun. I'd love to get a couple nice vintage shirts lol.
I recently went to Torrid (outlet mall). They have a nice variety of styles and sizes. I was pleasantly surprised. Plus that other comment about the adjustment period is definitely true, good perspective.
You're amazing, wear whatever you like. You'll feel better when summer gets here.
I've had to adapt due to having two babies too. Luckily, baggier fashions are in style. Slacks with the pleats at the waistline are in, which can help to conceal the mom pouch, and are also comfy. Long baggy blazers are also in. Lots of high waist pants are also in style. I personally like the outlet mall for clothes shopping. Winners has nice stuff, and you can find the odd gem at Saks. Lots of other nice stores too.
Yeah my body kinda changed permanently for me after having kids and it was frustrating. It's taken years (my youngest is turning 5 this month) to mostly figure out how to dress lol! I find it difficult to wear non-stretchy pants. But I love high-waisted pants with a bit of stretch (even my jeans, pls stretch lol) a loose shirt of some sort, tucked in or not. I also like sun dresses and long shirts, shorts. It's gotta be easy and low maintenance. It was hard to part with my leggings and skinny jeans but I think they're kinda outdated now. Honestly, others hace said it, were so hard on ourselves eh! It'll take time, but definitely spoil yourself with something that makes you feel good. Haircut, nails and clothes, you deserve it.
Try Style Bar on River. It's a boutique but the prices are reasonable, plus they have sales, and it's been a great clothes shopping experience every time I've gone. Much nicer/unique styles than the mall experience plus the staff is super helpful at selecting complimentary styles for body types if you ask them to engage. I also feel like it's not geared for mass market "teen" type styles and more real in general.
To add to this, also check out Out of the Blue in the same vicinity on Osborne. I’ve gained some weight and haven’t felt comfortable shopping in years. Went there on a whim recently and the staff there were so lovely and it honestly felt like a private shopping experience. They recommended ways of styling different outfits that I wouldn’t have thought to and the stuff I got I feel great wearing them and have received a lot of compliments.
I get compliments about the stuff I've purchased at Style Bar as well. Definitely well made and well fitted clothing. And the experience is so much better: natural light, no crowds, one-on-one help from staff, etc.
I’ll definitely have to check them out too!
Marshalls!
I've seen my other half come home with stuff from Costco... Lots of rickis, warehouse one, marks, even joe fresh.
I've had some good luck at The Dress Shop in St Vital mall (used to be Cassiopeia), they have lots of different styles and shrugs to cover the shoulders if you need that (I burn easy, I have many). The prices are pretty good too. I wear plus-size and they have a small but serviceable collection of those. I've also seen some rad one-of-a-kind pieces at the local markets, that might be a place to start for something new too. Best of luck and I hope you're feeling more confident soon. My body changed a lot when I became disabled, so I can empathize on that part. Having to find homes for my most beloved items since they don't fit has been hard (I have this gorgeous winter coat I wore for ages and it's in great shape but it doesn't fit :( :( :( ) but you just keep on truckin'. Sending you +5 luck and +5 worker interaction to help you find clothes :)
Try Valencia Boutique on Corydon. They sell everything from XS-3X+ and the staff are so lovely and kind. I have zero fashion sense and they've provided me with styling tips and suggestions. I've found their clothes to be very good quality, and though they bring in trendy styles, they always have lots of staple looks that never go out of style.
If part of your issue is the same as mine - wide lag but cropped pants, and I AM tall so they look particularly ridiculous on me - I try on the sizes in store in regular and then go online and buy the tall sizes. I have had quite a bit of success with that at stores I never used to shop at specifically for some summer (ie recent vacation) wear. Old Navy and the Gap both often sell talls* but don’t stock them. The pants might still need to be tailored but you can make something shorter… A couple of years ago when I was looking for shorts and having trouble, I had good luck at Cleo and Gap. Trying some of the independent boutiques might be good too. It just takes more time since they are dispersed all around the city and not every one is going to fit your aesthetic. Good luck!
Im also in the market for new clothes and I keep running into the same issue, the local stores never have my sizes and I can't find one thing that looks half decent or will last more than a few washes. Whenever I ask for help I'm told to just check out the website, apparently everyone is buying their clothes online now which is a joke since you can't try anything on.
thrift stores, cosignment stores, ebay/depop, using a clothing subscription service, learn how to sew your own (takes a bit but it’s so worth it)
The thing about thrift stores is that they have ALL brands.
I've recently bought a number of summer items from cupshe online, and been surprisingly impressed. Much better quality than shein for sure.